The Doynton Ansteys

by Gary. M. Anstey, chief researcher of the Anstey story project.

Overview of the Doynton Ansteys

The Doynton Ansteys are a sub-branch of the Dyrham Anstees and hence connect to the South Gloucestershire Anstey pedigree. We need to be somewhat careful with our labelling of the Doynton Ansteys because quite a few Dyrham Anstees moved to Doynton at various times during the 1800s. As such, the Doynton Ansteys could be considered to have multiple Dyrham Anstee patriarchs, particularly Robert Anstey (b 1780 Codrington) and his brother John Anstey (b 1778 Wapley).

Intriguingly, most Doynton Ansteys ended up spelling their surname ‘Anstee’ – having said that some then switched the spelling back to ‘Anstey’ (see for example Further Details #3).

For those so interested, Anstey researcher Thomas John Anstey (Tom) communicated with numerous members of this sub-branch in c1911 and a few of those letters have already been uploaded to this Anstey story project website.

Robert Anstey (b 1780 Codrington)

Robert Anstey was born in 1780 and baptised in 1786 in Wapley cum Codrington to parents John Anstey (born in Dyrham in 1750) and Susannah Parker (who married in Wapley cum Codrington on 5 April 1772). Robert Anstey married Elizabeth Manning [Mannings], a fellow native of Codrington, on 24 May 1809 in Cold Ashton. They moved to Doynton (probably because of land owned there by the Manning family, see below) and had a large family of at least eleven children, being:

  • Sarah Ann Anstey (b 1811, baptised in 1812. She married Joseph Perry in 1831, having a son Richard of Mountain Ash, Glamorgan and daughter Susannah who married John Christopher Bowker. Sarah Ann died in 1887);
  • Elizabeth Anstey (b 1813, married William Amos in 1833 in Doynton, having a son Alfred);
  • Robert Anstey (b 1814 – see below);
  • William Anstey (b c1816 – see below);
  • John Anstey (b 1817 – see below);
  • Mary Ann Anstey (b 1820, died 1888);
  • Eleanor Anstey (b 1824, died an infant in 1825);
  • George Anstee (b 1825 – see below);
  • Susannah Anstey (b 1828, known as Susan, married John Bishop in Bristol in 1844, living at Greenway Farm Wick near Bristol in 1911)
  • Edward Anstey (b 1830 – see below);
  • James Anstey? (b 1832, died young?).

In 1841 the family were farmers, living in Doynton with Mary Manning (probably Elizabeth‘s aunt) and Fanny Perry (presumably Sarah Ann Anstey‘s daughter). In 1851, Robert Anstey, Elizabeth and their son Edward Anstey were living at their farmhouse residence in Doynton; Robert also ran the Cross House Pub at that time. Robert Anstey died on 26 March 1855 “aged 75“, buried 2 April 1855 in Doynton churchyard.

In the ‘Cheltenham Examiner‘ on 02 April 1856 appears “ANSTEE v NELMES: An action of ejectment from a certain piece of land at Wick and Abson, at present held by trustees and in the occupation of the defendant. Elizabeth Anstee [nee Manning] sworn, said – I am the plaintiff in this action. I lived with my grandfather Nicholas Manning at the time of his death. He died in 1804. He was then in possession of a field in the parish of Wick and had land also in that of Doynton. Mary Manning lived wth Nicholas Manning at that time. Mary Manning was my aunt and daughter of Nicholas. She occupied the Wick land about two years herself and afterwards let it to her brother Samuel Manning. He occupied it six years and paid rent for his occupation to my aunt. The land afterwards came into the occupation of Robert Anstee, my husband, who occupied it 30 years and also paid rent to Mary Manning, my aunt. My husband died on the 26th March last year. My aunt died in 1843 and my husband then gave up the land, it being afterwards taken to by Nicholas Manning the heir to the land at Doynton. My son Robert [Anstee] was farming the Wick ground at the time of my aunt’s death. At that period my son was threatened that he would be turned out. My husband did not claim the Wick land at the death of my aunt, as he did not like law proceedings; but everybody tells me that the land is mine.

Robert Anstee, farmer of Doynton said – I am the son of the last witness. Took the Wick land about 21 years ago and paid rent to my aunt as my father had done. Occupied the land up to 1843. Possession of the land was taken one day while I was at market. Had the land up to Lady day and paid the Lady Day rent to my mother about a month or so afterwards. The lock was taken from the gate and sent to my house. The ground was laid for mowing. Paid rates for this property to the Overseers of Wick. Had other property in the parish of Wick but not to pay rates. I rented it rate free. Knew Samuel Manning my mother’s brother.

In summing up his Lordship asked for the decision of the jury on two poins, the first of which was whether, when the old man Nicholas Manning made his will, the land in dispute was reputed to be in the parish of Doynton; and whether Mary Manning, to whom the property was left, took possession thereof in her claim under the will…verdict for the defendant with leave for the plaintiff to move on the findings of the jury“

John Anstey (b 1778 Wapley)

John Anstey (b 1778) was the older brother of Robert Anstey (b 1780). Information sent to the Anstey Project by Anna Thorn: “Another example of Dyrham Anstees moving to Doynton comes from another son of John Anstey and Susannah Parker, namely John Anstey (b 1778 in Wapley). He married Betty Strange in Dyrham in 1801 and they had numerous children including Aaron, (b 1809 in Dyrham), who moved to Doynton and married Hannah England in 1832. They had children Guy, John, Robert (who went to Australia, have not traced what happened to him) and Ellen.  Ellen married Thomas Bence (b Newton  St. Loe), sent as an apprentice shoemaker to Aaron at Doynton. They had Fred my grandfather, whose second wife was Priscilla Amos, her brother Douglas Amos married Mildred Anstey. Reverse the order:- Mildred Anstey 1896-1938 born to John Robert Anstey and Anne Maria Smith. John Robert’s father was George (b 1825 married Rachael Sparrow) his father Robert (b 1780 Codrington d 1855 m. Elizabeth Mannings  1809 Cold Ashton).” 

Robert Anstey (b 1814 Doynton)

Robert Anstey was born in Doynton in 1814 to parents Robert Anstey and Elizabeth Manning. He was a yeoman who married Charlotte Alvis (b 1814) in 1838 in Bristol St James (father confirmed as Robert), having children in Doynton:

  • John Alvis Anstey (b 1839, married in Bath in 1874 and had a son William in Weston, Somerset in 1882. In the 1871 Census John and his brother Edwin were living at Woodland Farm, Doynton);
  • Alfred Anstee (b 1841);
  • George Anstee (b 1845, baptised 31 August 1845 in Doynton, not to be confused with George Anstee Junior (b 1846 Doynton));
  • Albert Anstee (b 1849);
  • Edwin Anstee (b 1853, married Sarah Ann Perry in 1876 in Barton Hill, St Luke, Bristol and they had children Sarah A. E. Anstee (b 1877); William Joseph Anstee (b 1885, mother confirmed as ‘Perry’); Arthur E. Anstee (b 1889); Kathleen C. Anstee (b 1894). Edwin was a stone quarryman living at Nashcombe Hill, Wick in the 1901 Census and they still lived at Wick, Bristol in 1911);

From 1835 to 1843 Robert Anstee was farming land in Wick and in 1856 he was a “farmer of Doynton” (see the 1856 newspaper article above). In the 1851 Census the family was living at Tracey Cottage, Doynton (next door to George Anstee) where Robert Anstee was a farmer. Robert Anstee died in 1859 “aged 54” buried in Doynton. In the 1861 Census Charlotte Anstee (widow) was living with her family at Horsepool Lane, Doynton; she died in 1866 in Doynton.

William Anstey (b 1816 Doynton)

William Anstey was born in Doynton in c1816 to parents Robert Anstey and Elizabeth Manning. He married Harriet Hinton (b c1814 Doynton) in Bristol on 29 August 1836 and they had children in Doynton:

  • Mary Ann Anstey (b 1836, baptised in Doynton on 6 November 1836. She married Aaron Maggs on 27 December 1856 in Winterbourne and died in 1877);
  • James Anstey (b 1838 – see below);
  • George Anstee (b 1841, baptised in Doynton on 24 January 1841. An unmarried labourer living with his family at Toghill Lane, Doynton in the 1861 Census);
  • John Anstee (b 1842, baptised 11 September 1842 in Doynton. He was living with his family at Toghill Lane, Doynton in the 1861 Census. He lived in Bitton in 1911 when he communicated with Thomas John Anstey (Tom));
  • Edith Anstee (b c1845, baptised in Doynton on 5 September 1847, died young?);
  • Edward Anstee (b 1846, baptised in Doynton on 5 September 1847, living with his family at Toghill Lane, Doynton in the 1861 Census);
  • William Anstee (b 1850 – see below);
  • Thirza Anstee (b 1852, baptised 4 April 1852 in Doynton. She was living with her family at Toghill Lane, Doynton in the 1861 Census. She married Austin Hall in 1872 at Holy Trinity Bristol);
  • Harriet Anstee (b 1852, baptised 4 April 1852 in Doynton. She married Joseph Toghill at Holy Trinity Bristol on 25 December 1874. In the 1881 Census they were living at 53 Beech Cottage, Doynton together with her brothers John Anstee and Robert Anstee);
  • Hannah [Emma/Anna?] Anstee (b 1854, baptised 4 October 1854 in Doynton – living with her family at Toghill Lane, Doynton in the 1861 Census and still living with them in 1871);
  • Elizabeth Anstee (b 1858, living with her parents in 1871. In 1891 she was still living with her parents with two (probably) illegitimate children Mary Anstee (b 1878) and Edward Anstee (b c1881, living with his uncle William Anstee in the 1901 Census). In 1901 she was still with them, together with another daughter Annie Anstee (b 1892));
  • Robert Anstee (b 1860 Doynton, living with his parents in 1871. He married Jane Trigger in Langridge, Somerset in 1883 and they had two sons, the second of which was Walter John Anstee, an Anstey Hero); and
  • Thomas Anstee (b 1863, living with his parents in 1871)

In the 1841 Census William, Harriet and their sons James and George were living at Bowd Farm, Doynton where he was an agricultural labourer. In the 1861 Census the family was at Toghill Lane, Doynton where William Anstee was a labourer. In the 1871 Census they were at Public, Doyton. In the 1881 Census William, Harriet and their son James Anstee were living at 52 Beech Cottage, Doynton where William was a labourer. In 1891 they were living at Village, Doynton and in 1901 they were at Cottages in Village, Doynton where William Anstee was “living on own means“. Harriet Anstee died later in 1901, buried in Doynton on 28 May 1901. William Anstee died on 9 January 1902, he was buried in Doynton on 14 January 1902 “aged 86“.

John Anstey (b 1817 Doynton)

John Anstey (later Anstee) was born in Doynton on 12 March 1817 (per a letter from his son, though most censuses say he was born c1822) to parents Robert Anstey and Elizabeth Manning; he was baptised in Doynton in 1825. He married Elizabeth Baker (b c1822 Pucklechurch) in 1842 in Bristol and they had children:

  • Mary Ann Anstee (b 1843 Pucklechurch);
  • Robert Anstee (b 1847 Pucklechurch, who married Sarah Jane King in Wellow, Bath in 1871. They had children Herbert Anstee (b 1874 Crudwell, married Sophia Higgins in 1904 in Allesley); John Arthur Anstee (b 28 February 1879 Rodmarton, known as Arthur J. Anstee. He married Harriet Lester in 1899 in Edmonton and they had children Gladys Maud Anstee (b 1899 Bromley); Arthur John Anstee (b 1902 Bromley, became a florist at Manor House Nurseries, Leckwith Road); Ellen Agnea Anstee (b 1905 Bromley); Eva Mildred Anstee (b 1907 Brompley, married Spencer Owen Clark in 1936); Edward Robert Anstee (b 1910 Cardiff); Leonard R. Anstee (b 1914 Cardiff); and Donald L. Anstee (b 1917 Cardiff). John Arthur Anstee died in 1936 at Manor House Nurseries, Leckwith Road in Cardiff, probate was to his sons Arthur John Anstee and Edward Robert Anstee “nurserymen and florists“. According to the ‘Western Mail‘ 1 September 1936 edition “TRAGEDY IN A GREENHOUSE: Nurseryman found Shot Dead. Mr A. J. Anstee Nurseryman and Florist of Manor House Nurseries Leckwith Road, Cardiff was found shot dead shortly before 10 o clock on Monday night. People who passed by his nursery heard the shot of a gun about 9:45pm and immediate investigations led to the discovery of Mr Anstee lying on the floor of one of the greenhouses. He had received head injuries and nearby was a shotgun. His body was taken to the Cardiff city mortuary. Mr Anstee was a widower aged about 60. His wife died several years ago leaving several children. It was only two months ago that Mr Anstee‘s daughter Eva was married at Llandaff Cathedral to Mr Spencer Owen Clark of Plymouth. Mr Anstee had been connected with the Nurserymen’s and florists trade for many years. He was of a very retiring nature and in the words of a prominent Cardiff florist ‘he lived for his work’. His nurseries cover a large area enclosed by a high wall at the junction of Leckwith Road and Lansdown Road“); Walter Edward Anstee (b 1880 Rodmarton, married Edith Mary Stocker in Guildford in 1906); Elizabeth A. Anstee (b 1883 Rodmarton); Ernest Robert Anstee (b 1885 Lacock, known as Robert, married Ellen Watts in Hackney in 1908); Ralph Anstee (b 1887 Lacock – an Anstey Hero). In the 1891 Census the family were living at Village Street, Garford, Abingdon where Robert was a “shepherd“. By 1901 the family was at Bury Farm (Farm House), Studham, Luton where Robert was a “farm bailiff“. Robert was living in Wiltshire in 1911 but visiting his wife’s ‘King’ family in the 1911 Census at Ashchurch, Temkesbury);
  • John Anstee (b 1849 Pucklechurch, died young);
  • Sarah Bertha Anstee (b 1852 Pucklechurch, married William Margetts Titcumb [Titcomb] in May 1873 in Birmingham, St Martin in the Bull Ring (father confirmed as John Anstee ‘farmer’). In the 1881 Census she was visiting her parents in Long Newnton; ditto the 1891 Census in Devizes);
  • Thomas Burchill Anstee (b 1859 in Shortwood (or Pucklechurch), communicated with Thomas John Anstey (Tom) in 1911. He was farming with his family in 1881 in Long Newnton, Tetbury, Wiltshire and still farming with the family in 1891. He married Annie Elizabeth Thompson in 1896 in Chipping Sodbury and moved to Orchardleigh in Somerset having children baptised in Lullington in 1900 and 1901);
  • Henry Anstee (b 1861 Wellow, Somerset, farming with his family in 1881 in Long Newnton, Tetbury, Wiltshire and still farming with the family in 1891 in Devizes. He married Martha (b 1861 Biddestone) and in the 1901 Census they were living at Poulshot Mill, Mill Lane, Poulshot, Devizes where Henry was a farmer and miller. They were still there in the 1911 Census, which incidentally states that Martha had one child still living, probably from a previous marriage?); and
  • John Anstee (b 1865 Wellow Somerset, farming with his family in 1881 in Long Newnton, Tetbury, Wiltshire and still farming with the family in 1891 in Devizes)

In the 1851 Census the family were living at Bristol Road, Pucklechurch, Chipping Sodbury where John Anstee was a “pork butcher“. In the ‘Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette‘ on 10 January 1867 appeared an advert beginning “MANOR FARM Wellow near Bath, Somerset, For Sale By Auction on 15 Jan 1867 the property of Mr JOHN ANSTEE who is leaving the farm“

By the 1871 Census the family were at Barness Green Farm, Brinkworth, Malmesbury where John Anstee was a “farmer of 70 acres“. [Note: there was another family headed by John Anstey (b 1817 Dyrham) who married Mary who were also living in Malmesbury in 1871 – he was a farmer of 215 acres].

By the 1881 Census the family were living at Long Newnton, Tetbury, Wiltshire where John Anstee was a farmer of 350 acres. By 1891 they were at Towns End Farm House, Horton Towns End, Bishops Cannings, Devizes. John Anstee was still a farmer in Devizes, Wiltshire when he died in July 1911 living at Wistley House, Potterne, Devizes; his gravestone memorial inscription reads “husband of Elizabeth“.

Per a letter dated 1911 to Thomas John Anstey (Tom) John Anstee “Has four sons and one daughter now living at Devizes or thereabout. John Anstee senior once lived in one of our Queen Victoria’s farms, Horton Devizes…The whole of our property is lying in Witteluw? [Wellow?] around of about 440 acres which his children are farming“

George Anstee (b 1818 Dyrham)

George Anstee (b 1818 Dyrham) married Harriet (b 1814 Kilve) and they had children in Doynton:

  • Harriet Anstee (b 1843, baptised in Doynton 19 November 1843);
  • Emma Anstee (b 1846);
  • George Anstee Junior (b 1846 – see below);
  • Mary Ann Anstee (b 1849);

In the 1851 Census they were living at Tracey Cottage, Doynton (next door to Robert Anstee) where George Anstee was a farmer.

George Anstee (b 1825 Doynton)

George Anstee was born in Doynton in 1825 to parents Robert Anstey and Elizabeth Manning.

[Note: He is not to be confused with George Anstee (b 1826 Doynton to parents John Anstey and Mary Stephens) – see Further Details #1]

George Anstee (b 1825) married Rachel Sparrow on 10 February 1846 in Doynton. They had children in Doynton:

  • Elizabeth Ann Anstee (b 1846, died 1847);
  • Emma Anstee (b 1847, unmarried in 1891 living at Court Farm, Doynton with her brother and sister);
  • George Thomas Anstee (b 1850 – see below);
  • Rachel Ann Anstee (b 1853, single in the 1881 Census, she married Arthur Thomas in Doynton in 1882);
  • Jesse Anstee (b 1855 – see below);
  • John Robert Anstee (b 1856, married Hannah [Anna] Marie Smith and had a child Walter in 1886 in Wellow, Somerset and a daughter Mildred Anstee (b 1896, married Douglas Amos);
  • Albert Alfred Anstee (b 1858 Doynton, who communicated with Thomas John Anstey (Tom) in 1911. He was executor to his brother Jesse Anstee‘s will in 1914, at which time he was a farmer);
  • Thirza Anstee (b 1860);
  • Mary Anstee (b 1862);
  • Edwin Anstee (b 1863, married Martha Mary Bellion in 1895. In 1911 they lived in Mortlake New South Wales, Australia. In 1930 they lived at 18 Violet Street, Waverley, Sydney when Edwin‘s niece Rachel Doreen Anstee (see below) visited. Edwin Anstee died in July 1933, probate was in October 1933 in Waverley, New South Wales; he was a “retired sergeant of police“. Edwin was buried at Rookwood General Cemetery, Cumberland Council, New South Wales (Zone B Anglican Section 4 Grave 2403) – the inscription on his gravestone reads “In loving memory of our dear mother and father Martha Mary Anstee died 30 Jan 1913 aged 39 years: Edwin Anstee died 6 July 1933 aged 69 years Also Nellie Florence Anstee died 19 Sep 1800 aged 3 years 8 months Sydney Anstee died Jun 1905 aged 9 days“. In the ‘Moree Gwydir Examiner and General Advertiser‘ on 10 July 1933 appears “Obituary. MR. E. ANSTEE. The death occurred at the Moree District Hospital on Thursday of Mr Edwin Anstee, who was visiting Moree for treatment at the Bore Baths. The deceased, who was 70 years of age, was a retired sergeant of police, and had been receiving treatment at the Bore Baths for the past three weeks. On Wednesday morning he was suddenly taken ill and was admitted to the institution the same afternoon, but passed away the following day. He is survived by two sons and a daughter. The body was taken to Sydney by Friday afternoon’s train for interment. Mr. W. J. Trenchard carried out the mortuary arrangements here.” In the ‘Sydney Morning Herald‘ newspaper on 10 July 1933 appeared “ANSTEE. – The Relatives and Friends of Mr. and Mrs. E. TYNAN, Mr. and Mrs. T. [Thomas Edwin] ANSTEE. and Mr. ROBERT C. [Charles] ANSTEE are invited to attend the funeral of their beloved FATHER, Edwin Anstey, ex-Sergeant of Police“);
  • Ellen Anstee (b 1866);
  • Bessie Anstee (b 1867, died 1868);
  • Kate Anstee (b 1869, unmarried in 1891 living at Court Farm, Doynton with her brother and sister. She died in 1909 in Charfield, buried in Doynton. Probate was “ANSTEY Kate of Stanton, Chippenham, Wiltshire spinster died 22 Sep 1909 at Charfield Gloucestershire. Probate to George Thomas Anstee [brother] and Thomas Gent farmers“);

In the 1851 Census, the family were living at Rookery Farm in Doynton, together with nieces Thirza and Ellen Amos. They were still there in 1861 where George Anstee was a farmer of 145 acres. In 1862 George Anstey “farmer” and his brother Edward Anstey “innkeeper” were convicted of poaching (see below for article).

By 1871 George and his family were at Hinton the Farm, Dyrham & Hinton and still in Dyrham in 1881.

Rachel Anstee (wife) died in 1883, buried in Doynton on 5 May 1883, so George Anstee remarried to Mary Shelland in Knowle, Somerset in 1884. By the 1891 Census they were living at Lockston, Nettleton, Chippenham, Wiltshire, where George was still a farmer.

George Anstee died on 23 June 1893 in Doynton, when he was living at Court Farm (where some of his children were living in the 1891 Census). The Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette on 6 July 1893 reported “June 23, at Court Farm, Doynton, George Anstee, aged 68.” His widow Mary Anstee died in 1909, still living at Nettleton, Chippenham – her stepson George Thomas Anstee was executor.

Edward Anstey (b 1830 Doynton)

Edward Anstey was born in Doynton in 1830 to parents Robert Anstey and Elizabeth Manning, baptised in Doynton on 25 July 1830. He married Olive Nelms on 16 July 1855 in Bristol and they had children:

  • Edward Anstee (b 1856 Doynton, who lived at Mountain Ash in Glamorgan);
  • John Anstee (b 1858 Doynton, married Clara Studley in 1879 in Bristol and they had children in Bedminster Edward John Anstey (b 1880, an unmarried “coal hewer below ground” in 1901 boarding at 12, Union Street, Ystradyfodwg, Pontypridd. He married Margaret Ann Mason in 1903 in Pontypridd and in the 1911 Census he was a “colliery stoker above ground” living at 13 Baptist Row Blaenllechau, Rhondda, Glamorganshire with his wife and children Mary Lizzie Anstee (b 1905); Rose May Anstee (b 1907); Edward John Anstee (b 1908); and Colin Anstee (b 1910)); Alice Anstey (b 1882); Sidney Anstey (b 1883 – an Anstey Hero); Rosina Anstey (b 1885, married Charles Alfred Banks and was living with her family and mother in 63 West Street Bedminster Bristol in the 1911 Census); Thomas Robert Anstey (b 1887 died young?); Ellen Emily Anstey (b 1889, died young?); Lilly Anstey (b 1890); Colin Anstey (b 1894, died in 1916 in Bristol) and George Anstey (b 1897, living with his sister Rosina at 63 West Street Bedminster Bristol in the 1911 Census). In the 1891 Census the family were living in New Margaret Place, Bedminster where John Anstee was a plasterer. By the 1901 Census they were living at 35, Ivy Terrace, Bristol where John Anstee was still a plasterer. By the 1911 Census John Anstee had died, his widow Clara Anstee was living with her daughter Rosina Banks at 63 West Street Bedminster Bristol where she was a waitress);
  • Elizabeth Mary Anstee (b 1859 Doynton, married Alfred Ettle in 1913, who communicated with Thomas John Anstey (Tom) in 1911 – these letters have been uploaded in their entirety to the Anstey story project website – see also this post for more details on Mrs Ettle and her marriage);
  • Olive Anstee (b 1863 Doynton, a rag cutter in Bitton in 1881);
  • Agnes Anstee (b 1865 Doynton);
  • Colin Anstee (b 1867 Doynton);
  • Sidney Anstee (b 24 March 1869 Wick, married Elizabeth Weeks in Kingswood Holy Trinity, Bristol on 1 July 1893 and they had children in Bitton Agnes Anstee (b 1894); Mary Naomi Anstee (b 1895); James Anstee (b 1898); Edward Henry Anstee (b 1900, known as Henry); Elsie Anstee (b 1903); and Ruby Anstee (b 1906). In the 1901 Census they were at North Street, Bitton (Gloucs), Keynsham where Sidney Anstee was a coalminer. In 1911 they were living at West St Oldland Common Near Bristol, Bitton. By the 1939 Register Sidney was widowed and a builder’s general labourer living at High Street, Oldland, Warmley. He died in 1953 in Oldland “age 84“, buried 5 November 1953 in Oldland);
  • Mary Anstee (b 1871 Wick);
  • Ellen Anstee (b 1873); and
  • Alexander Anstee (b 1879 Bitton, married Frances Warford in 1902 in Oldham, St Anne, Bristol and in the 1911 Census they were living at Nuns Lane Oldland Common Near Bristol, Bitton with their children Edward Anstee (b 1903); Sidney Anstee (b 1905); and Ellen Anstee (b 1909) – Alexander was a “collier underground“)

Edward Anstey was innkeeper at the Cross House Pub in Doynton in 1861 – he was also a butcher. The ‘Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette‘ on 09 January 1862 reported “CROSS HANDS PETTY SESSIONS – On Friday last George Anstey farmer and Edward Anstey innkeeper, two brothers, were convicted before Colonel Blathwayt and W. H. H. Hartley Esq, two Justices of the Peace, for poaching on the premises of Mr W. Hockey in the parish of Dyrham-in-Hinton and a fine of £2 14s was inflicted upon each“.

By 1871 the family were living at Top of Wick, Wick & Abson where he was a farmer of 33 acres. By 1881 they were living at Oldland Common, Bitton where Edward Anstee was an agricultural labourer.

James Anstey (b 1838 Doynton)

James Anstey, an Anstey Hero, was born in q4 1838 to parents William Anstey and Harriet Hinton, baptised in Doynton on 28 October 1838 to “William Anstee and Ann” (which must be a transcription error). In 1851 he was a servant in Doynton living with the ‘Hinton’ family (presumably his aunt and uncle).

On 3 March 1858 at Wooton Under Edge, James signed up for full time service with the Army. On his Attestation Form he gave his birth parish as “Dighton [Doynton] near Chipping Sodbury, Gloucester” and he also indicated that he was an “18 year old labourer“.

[Research Note: Confusingly James Anstey was sometimes referred to as John Anstey – we know it is the same person however as on one of his Army forms the name ‘John’ was crossed out and replaced by ‘James’ with both Service Numbers 626 and 1915 written above]

He served a total of 21 years in the Army as a Private, of which over 18 years were in East Indies (India) as part of the British Raj, where he was awarded the India General Service Medal with clasp ‘Umbeyla’ for his service in the Umbeyla Campaign in 1863/64. The specifics of his Army postings were as follows:

  • 8th Foot Regiment (Service Number: 626) – 3 March 1858 to 29 Feb 1860
  • 1/7th Foot Regiment – 1 March 1860 to 3 Sep 1867 (earning two Good Conduct Pay in 1861 and 1866)
  • 3 September 1867 – Reengaged to complete 21 years of Service
  • 1/7th Foot Regiment – 4 September 1867 to 31 July 1870 (earning a Good Conduct Pay in 1870)
  • 1/11th Foot Regiment (Service Number: 1915) – 1 August 1870 to 14 March 1879 (earning Good Conduct Pay in 1874 and 1879 and a Long Service Medal in 1876 – in 1871 he was in Gwalior, India)

After his discharge in March 1879 (at which time he was illiterate) he returned to civilian life intending to be a “labourer in Doynton near Bath“. He was an unmarried labourer living with his parents in Doynton in the 1881 Census; after this we lose track of him.

George Anstee Junior (b 1846 Doynton)

George Anstee Junior was born in 1846 in Doynton to parents George Anstee and Harriet, baptised 26 July 1846 in Doynton. He married Mary Alvis (surely related to Charlotte Alvis) in 1866 in Bath and they had children:

  • George Anstee? (b 1866 Doynton, died young??);
  • Mary Ann [Amos/Ames?] Anstee (b 1867 Doynton, unmarried and living with the family in Doynton in 1891);
  • Emily Jane Anstee (b 1868 Doynton);
  • Kate Ann Alvis Anstee (b 1870 Cold Ashton, in the 1911 Census she was an unmarried servant working at Doynton House for the Bowker family – she was still there in the 1921 Census. Kate Ann Alvis Anstee married Richard Griffiths in 1937 in Sodbury. She died on 1 June 1953 in Bristol – probate was to her brother William John Alvis Anstee);
  • Eleanor Sarah Anstee (b 1871 Cold Ashton);
  • George William Anstee (b 1872 Cold Ashton, baptised in 1884 in Doynton. George William Anstee married Harriet Augusta Enticknap in Midhurst Sussex in 1907 and they had a daughter Edith Mary Anstee (b 1908 Lugershall). In the 1911 Census they were living at Lurgashall, Sussex where George was a “farm bailiff” (birth confirmed as Doynton) with Postal Address given as Roundhurst Haslemere Surrey. George William Anstee died in 1922, probate “Anstey George William of Imbhams Farm Haselmere Surrey died 31 January 1922 effects to Harriet Augusta Anstee widow“). Note: this is not the ‘George William Anstee‘ who fought in the Second Boer War);
  • James Robert Anstee (b 1875 Cold Ashton);
  • Maggie Louisa Anstee (b 1877 Doynton);
  • Alice Maud Anstee (b 1879 Doynton);
  • Edith Annie Anstee (b 1881 Doynton, living with her parents in 1901);
  • Lilly Charlotte Alvis Anstee (b 1884 Doynton, unmarried and living with her parents in 1911); and
  • William John Alvis Anstee (b 1887 Doynton, married Elizabeth Ann Taylor in Brislington in 1912 (father confirmed as “George Anstee butcher“));

In April 1868 “George Anstee butcher and beerhouse keeper Doynton” obtained an Order of Discharge from Bankruptcy at Bath Bankruptcy Court (per ‘Western Daily Press‘ 24 April 1868 edition). In the 1871 Census the family were living at Noads Leaze House, Coldashton where George Anstee was a butcher. He was still a butcher in 1881 living back in Doynton. By the 1891 Census “George Anstee Junr” and family were in Doynton but George was a farm labourer; however by 1901 he was back to being a “butcher” living at “cottages in village“, Doynton (ditto 1911).

George Thomas Anstee (b 1850 Doynton)

George Thomas Anstee was born in Doynton in 1850 to parents George Anstee and Rachel Sparrow. He married Jane Ann Denly (b c1851 Rodborne, Wiltshire) in 1879 in Malmesbury and they had children:

  • Richard George Denly Anstee (b 1880 Castle Coomb. He married Nellie Rich in 1902 in Malmesbury and they had a child Richard George J. Anstee (b 1903 Malmesbury). Richard (father) died in 1907 in Malmesbury, Wiltshire – the ‘Western Gazette‘ on 8 November 1907 reported “A SAD WILTSHIRE TRAGEDY: A sad accident is reported from Corston near Chippenham. Mr Richard Anstee of the Manor Farm was conveying feeding stuff in a cart to the sheepfold. On reaching for his gun, with the barrel end towards him, the trigger got caught in one of the bags lying in the cart and Mr Anstee received the full charge in the right breast. A shepherd who heard the explosion informed Mr George Anstee, deceased’s father, of the occurrence and that gentleman, who was riding at the time, immediately galloped to Malmesbury for surgical assistance. Dr Heaton was quickly on the spot and did all he could to save the young man’s life, but without avail and he died from haemorrhage after lingering for four hours. Deceased, the son of Mr and Mrs George Anstee of Stanton, Chippenham, was 25 years of age, and leaves a widow and one child“);
  • Lilian Sybella Anstee (b 1881 Castle Coomb, married John Percival Godwin in 1909 in Chippenham);
  • Blanche Violet Anstee (b 1883 Castle Coomb, married Edward West in 1917 in Chippenham);
  • Ethel Louise Anstee (b 1886 Stanton, married William H. Lockstone in 1913 in Chippenham);
  • Constance Gladys G. E. Anstee (b 1891 Stanton, died an infant);
  • Nigel Victor Anstee (b 1892 Stanton – an Anstey Hero);
  • Rachel Doreen Anstee (b 1893 Malmesbury, Stanton, Rachel was an Anstey Hero. She grew up in Stanton St Quintin, Chippenham with her family. In 1907 she was at the Bristol Centre of the ‘London College of Music’ specialising in piano. On 4 August 1916, during World War One, she volunteered with the Red Cross as a Nurse, working a total of 948 hours at R. C. P. Chippenham until 19 January 1917. In November 1930 Rachel went to Australia with her Uncle Edwin Anstee, staying at 18 Violet Street, Waverley, Sydney. However she had returned by 1936 when she died in Malmesbury, having never married. Probate was later in 1936 “ANSTEY Rachel Doreen of 6 Oxford Street, Malmesbury Wiltshire, spinster, died 25 January 1936 at St Mary’s Private Hospital Bristol administration to Nigel Victor Anstee [brother] farmer“);

In the 1891 Census the family were at Bell Farm, Corston, St Paul Malmesbury (near Stanton). In 1898 according to the ‘Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette‘ 17 March 1898 edition, James Turner, a worker on George‘s farm, died after getting his arm caught in a chaff cutter machine. The newspaper reported on the Coroner’s Inquest in which “George Thomas Anstee, a farmer of Stanton St Quintin said he had an agricultural engine which deceased assisted to drive. This chaff cutter’s lever was almost too near to the elbow of a man feeding the machine. It was sometimes put out of gear unintentionally“.

In the 1901 Census they were living at Home Farm House, Avills Lane, Stanton St Quintin, Chippenham, together with Fitz W. Sparrow a “cattle foreman on the farm” – George was a farmer. In 1909 George was executor to his stepmother Mary Anstee‘s will. The family was still at Stanton St Quintin in the 1911 Census.

George Thomas Anstee died in 1918 in Chippenham.

William Anstee (b 1850 Doynton)

William Anstee was born in 1850 in Doynton to parents William Anstey and Harriet Hinton, baptised 4 April 1852 in Doynton. He was living with his family at Toghill Lane, Doynton in the 1861 Census and by the 1871 Census he was a servant at Bowd Farm, Doynton. He married Mary Ann Slugg (b 1851 Bradford on Avon) in 1872 in Bath (at which time he was a “labourer of Claverton, son of William Anstey” and they had children:

  • Mary E. Anstey (b 1876 Bath);
  • Albert Ernest Anstey (b 1878 Bath (not to be confused with Albert Ernest Anstey (b 1882 Peckham – also son of William)), baptised on 1 December 1878 at Tormarton, St Mary Magdalen. He was “of Westbury” in 1894 per the ‘Bristol Times and Mirror‘ 23 February 1894 edition. He married Mary Ann Withers on 10 March 1900 in Westbury on Trym and in the 1901 Census he was a “horseman on farm” living at Cote Grange (Cottage), Westbury upon Trym. By the 1911 Census he was a “waggoner on a farm” living at 13 Cambridge Road Westbury on Trym, having had one child Rhoda Annie Anstey (b 1901, died an infant). Albert Ernest Anstey died in 1944 living at 13 Cambridge Crescent, Westbury-on-Trym, probate to Winifred Maud Withers “spinster” – presumably his sister-in-law, which suggests they had no other children);
  • Edith Anstey (b 1880 Thornbury);
  • Alice Louise Anstey (b 1883 Henbury);
  • William James Anstey (b 1885 Henbury);
  • Mabel L. Anstey (b 1888 Henbury);
  • Walter Reginald Anstey (b 1889 Henbury – an Anstey Hero);
  • Robert Anstey (b 1891 Henbury);
  • Wilfred A. Anstey (b 1892 Westbury); and
  • Herbert George Anstey (b 1893 Westbury as ‘George Herbert Anstey’, an inmate at the Wilts Reformatory School in Warminster in 1911 – an Anstey Hero)

In the 1891 Census the family were living at Bowdens Fields, Lawrence Weston, Henbury, Barton Regis where William Anstey was a farm servant. By 1901 William Anstey was a market gardener living at Westbury Hill, Henbury, Barton Regis with his family and a nephew Edward Anstee (b c1881 – see above).

Jesse Anstee (b 1855 Doyton)

Jesse Anstee was born in 1855 in Doynton to parents George Anstee and Rachel Sparrow. He married Sarah Ann Hale in c1879 and they had children in Hinton and Doynton:

  • Laetitia Anstee (b 1879 Hinton, married Albert Ernest Henry Higgins on 12 November 1901 at Doynton Holy Trinity – living at Bowd Farm in the 1911 Census); and
  • George Anstee (b 1880 Doynton – an Anstey Hero)

In the 1881 Census the family were living at Bowd Farm, Toghill Lane, Doynton together with Sarah Ann‘s father George Hale – Jesse was a “Farmer of 92 acres employing 1 boy“. The ‘Bristol Times and Mirror‘ 2 May 1884 edition had an advert “WANTED: Good General Servant must be fond of children – Apply Mrs Anstee Bowd Farm Doynton“. In 1885 per the ‘Bristol Times and Mirror‘ 2 October 1885 edition “Jesse Anstee” attended a meeting in Doynton of electors. The family were still at Bowd Farm in 1891.

In 1893 Sarah Ann Anstee (wife) died, buried on 23 December 1893 at Doynton, Holy Trinity.

In the 1901 Census the family were still at Bowd Farm, Jesse was a “widower“. By the 1911 Census Letitia (daughter) and her husband Albert Higgins had taken over Bowd Farm with Jesse Anstee being an “assistant“. Jesse Anstee died on 31 December 1913 at Bowd Farm – probate was to “Albert Alfred Anstee, farmer” (his brother).

Further Details on the Doynton Ansteys

#1. Other families also moved to Doynton in the early 1800s, but they are not really Doynton Ansteys per se. For example, John Anstey (who was baptised in Dyrham in 1801 to parents Robert Anstey and Ann Sainsbury) married Mary Stephens in 1823 in Dyrham. This couple moved to Doynton in about 1826 and had six children, including George Anstee (b 1826, not to be confused with George Anstee (b 1825) above); and Cornelius Anstey (b 1829 – patriarch of the Chew Magna Ansteys). Despite living in Doynton for a short while, this family is part of the Dyrham Anstee sub-branch, not the Doynton Ansteys.

#2. Thomas Anstee, buried in Doynton in 1814 “aged 68“, was son of Robert Anstee and Betty Gunning of the Dyrham Anstees.

#3. John Anstee (b 1849 Dyrham) married Eliza and they moved to Doynton, having children there Robert Anstee (b 1874); George Anstee (b 1876, married Harriet and was a “farm bailiff” living at Roundhurst Haslemere Surrey, Lurgashall, Sussex in the 1911 Census); William Anstee (b 1881); John Anstee (b 1884); Annie Anstee (b 1887); and Howard Anstee (b 1888). Interestingly, William Anstee (b 1881) had a son Percy William John Anstey (b 1907) who not only changed his surname spelling back to ‘Anstey’ from ‘Anstee’ but was buried in St Peter’s Churchyard in Dyrham in 1990, showing that ‘Anstey’s were still going strong in Dyrham 350 years after the first arrival!

We are actively on the lookout for Doynton Ansteys alive today who are willing to add their Anstey research to this project. Anybody so interested, please contact us at research@theansteystory.com. We are particularly interested in research regarding Doynton Ansteys who fought in World War One, preferably with personal souvenirs such as letters sent by the soldiers or military photos etc. Anybody who has such expertise and inclination, please contact us at research@theansteystory.com.

We have already uploaded bits of information and documentation about the Doynton Ansteys, and continue to upload more all the time (see Project Updates), however it is spread over various segments of the website.

The best way to find said information is to enter ‘Doynton’ in the search box at the bottom of this page and a list of relevant pages will appear.

Anybody who finds any mistakes on this page, please contact us at research@theansteystory.com and we will correct it.

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